What has happened since I have become part of the team? Well a whole bunch! The office was pretty vacant when I started. Lots of empty space and shelves, no computer equipment, and placebo phone. Now empty shelves are adorned with whatever little trinket or collectible I happen to fancy, a few framed documents, a few awards for Lee, file boxes, kid pictures, and even a book or two. There is even a picture that one of my kids drew on the fridge. You could walk into our kitchen and prepare a meal, have a cup of coffee at our table and visit with any of us in there. My empty desk is now full to the brim with electronics, papers, and other office supplies including my one of a kind and very awesome tape dispenser! Plants have arrived! Decorations have been added! A sign befitting a growing and thriving business is in our front yard! Our office has come to life!

Welcome to home! You’re welcome to have a seat on the futon, but BEWARE!! It is a nap trap!!

Notice I do not say “The office” or “Lee’s office” but I refer to it as “Ours'” or “Mine,” because I feel personally invested. I really feel the core values of this office. I have heard many businesses claim to be family first, but rarely have I seen them prove that value. With the Hermits, they prove that everyday. Sometimes on weekends when I have a brilliant idea (I don’t often have non brilliant ideas, but I digress), I run in to the office and put my ideas on paper. This idea today just happens to be how to help people who have a house owner financed through us and happen to have a financial crisis, get back on track and keep their house. It is our mission to do the most good. So how do we help? Well, I am working on that. I personally think it is a great idea, and I will know soon if it actually is or not.

My desk. Once it was just an empty surface and now it buzzes with daily work and projects to do the most good for our clients. It is how I leave my mark on the world.

So, the office has come to life since I have been here. Brilliant ideas have been put on paper, but what about me? Have the Hermits changed me? The answer is no. I have not changed in my core values, but rather found a place for them to grow and thrive! With every accomplishment and every encouraging word from Lee and Sue Ann, I find myself in a bigger state of growth for the next project. I truly feel valued and part of the team. When I make a mistake, it is just part of learning. Mistakes mean you’re trying, and that is the attitude here. I have so much room to grow here, and I feel like I have been planted and am beginning to take root.

My two youngest children who are 10 and 7. This moment brought to you by the fantastic morale of this wonderful office.

Sometimes on the weekends I end up doing things like blogging and putting ideas on paper and I have any number of my four sons with me. It gets a little loud at times, and we have to establish not to go into Mr. Lee or Mr. Larry’s office, but they get it. If you want honesty, ask a child. As the saying goes, two things that never lie are tights and kids. My kids like to explore the office, lounge on the new futon, and play just like they are at home. We have managed to turn this office into a home! This is the home office of the Hermits, and we really feel at home. Give us the chance to make your home as well. My kids love the comfort of the office, I love it too. If we can do that here, then we can surely do it for you!